Group One plans for Woorim

Robert Heathcote is aiming as high as the Cox Plate with Woorim after his strong first up win at Moonee Valley.

The six-year-old carried 60.5kg to score a comfortable length win over Phar Lap Stakes winner Blackie to give the Queensland trainer a double at the Valley on Saturday after Buffering won the McEwen Stakes.

Heathcote has Woorim aimed at another crack at the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday week.

The gelding ran third to Response in the Group One event last year.

Heathcote said the Group One Toorak Hcp (1600m) at Caulfield on October 8 was also on the agenda.

“We’re even thinking about the Cox Plate for him which I’m sure will make a few people laugh,” Heathcote said.

“This horse has a terrific sprint and not many can go with him when he unleashes it.”

The winner of the Group Three BTC Sprint (1350m) at Doomben in May, Woorim has only twice been tried beyond 1500 metres.

Those runs were in January and February of 2010 when he was second over 1812m in restricted company at Eagle Farm and fourth of eight over the Cox Plate trip (2040m) at Doomben.

A winner of nine of his 31 starts from 1110 to 1500 metres, Woorim was having his first start on Saturday since making it back-to-back wins in the Listed Glasshouse Hcp (1400m) at the Sunshine Coast in early July.

He has won three of his past four starts with his seventh to Sincero in the Group One Stradbroke Hcp (1400m) at Eagle Farm in June his only miss.

Woorim is at $35 with TAB Sportsbet for the $3 million Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 22.

Last year’s third placegetter Whobegotyou held his place as $7 favourite after his third in the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) on Saturday behind Rekindled Interest who is now second pick in the betting at $8.50.

Buffering will be aimed at the Group One Manikato Stakes under lights at the Valley on September 30.

Damian Browne, who rode the stablemates, will return from suspension in time to partner Buffering in the Manikato.

Heathcote will add Our Lukas to his Victorian team with the eight-year-old to be aimed at a defence of the Listed Seymour Cup (1600m) on October 16.